Richmond County School System Minutes

Board Retreat - 3/20/2026 - Board Retreat

3/19/2026

Mrs. Shawnda Stovall - President
Dr. Malinda Cobb - Superintendent

Attendees - voting members

Mrs. Shawnda Stovall		President
Ms. Venus Cain		Board Member
Mr. Charlie Hannah		Board Member
Mr. Walter Eubanks		Board Member
Mrs. Mary Jane Abbott		Board Member
Mrs. Shontae Boyd		Board Member
Ms. Monique Braswell		Board Member
Mr. Edward Lowery		Vice President
Ms. Samantha Valentine		Board Member
Mr. Charlie Walker		Board Member

Call to Order - 9:00 a.m.
Shawnda Stovall called the March 20, 2026, Board Retreat to order at 9:05 a.m.

Mary Jane Abbott and Samantha Valentine joined via phone call.
A Moment of Self-Reflection
Mr. Ed Lowery led the audience in a Moment of Self-Reflection.
Pledge of Allegiance
The audience stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call
Dr. Malinda Cobb, Superintendent of Schools, conducted a Roll Call. Board members present were Mrs. Shawnda Stovall, Mr. Edward Lowery, Mrs. Mary Jane Abbott, Mrs. Shontae Boyd, Ms. Monique Braswell, Ms. Venus Cain, Mr. Walter Eubanks, Mr. Charlie Hannah, Ms. Samantha Valentine, and Mr. Charlie Walker. Mrs. Abbott and Ms. Valentine joined via phone. A quorum was established. Mr. William Fletcher, Board Attorney, was present.
Guests
No guest were present.

*Lieutenant Kyle Gould - Information Only - Gang Violence - Invited by Mrs. Shontae Boyd - 9:05 a.m. - 9:35 a.m.

Board Retreat Presentation
Instruction - 9:05 a.m. - 9:35 a.m.

*Information Only - PLC @ Home Probationary Placement - Mrs. Aletha Snowberger
*Information Only - 2025 Milestone Scores Update - Mrs. Glenda Collingsworth
*Information Only - SPED Update - Requested by Shontae Boyd - Dr. Tommy Welch - Dr. Larina Thomas
A SPED update was provided by Dr. Larina Thomas.
*Information Only - School Choice Threshold - Dr. Tommy Welch - Aletha Snowberger
Ms. Snowberger provided an update on School Choice Threshold.

Finance - 9:35 a.m. - 11:35 a.m.

FY27 Budget Update - Bobby A. Smith
Mr. Bobby Smith provided an update to the FY27 Budget.

Student Services - 11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

*Information Only - Student Records Discussion - Mr. Marcus Allen - Mrs. Kimberly Fletcher
*Information Only - Discussion of Unaccompanied Minors at Games: Setting the Right Age - Mr. Marcus Allen
*Information Only - Athletic Update - Marcus Allen - Scott McClintock
Mr. Scott McClintock provided an Athletic Update regarding the Laney Homecoming Football game, versus Josey.
*Information Only - School Walk Zones - Requested by Monique Braswell - Marcus Allen - Bill Kurts - Tracie Patterson
Transportation provided an update regarding school walk zones.

Working Lunch - 12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
*Legal - Larry Fletcher - 12:45 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Board Practices - Requested by Monique Braswell
Mr. Larry Fletcher provided an update regarding Board Practices.

Board Action and Discussion Items - 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

*Discussion of Naming the New Middle School and Survey Results - Mrs. Aletha Snowberger
*Information Only - GSBA Safety Training Redelivery - Ms. Monique Braswell - Ms. Samantha Valentine
*Discussion Item - Superintendent's Recommendation List - Shawnda Stovall
The board agreed to move this item to a work session, after a brief discussion. We will keep the Superintendent's Recommendation list as is on the agenda.
*Discussion Item - Data Request: Class of 2026 Achievement Trends, Seal Compliance, and Strategic Gap Analysis - Requested by Samantha Valentine
This item was moved to be discussed at a work session.
*Discussion of Commissioners attending Graduations - Requested by Venus Cain at the April Regular Board meeting
*Discussion of Pay As You Go Board Member Attendance - Requested by Board Members September 4 - Mrs. Shawnda Stovall
Discussion of Requesting Departmental Information - Requested by Ms. Cain - 9.22.2025
*Approval of the 2026 Fall Retreat Date - Charlar Weigle
This item was moved to the March 24, 2026, Regular Board meeting.
GSBA Legislative Position and Delegates - Shawnda Stovall and Charlar Weigle
The delegate will be Shontae Boyd, and the alternate will be Samantha Valentine.
*Discussion of GSBA 2026 Summer Conference - Savannah, Georgia - Charlar Weigle
We reviewed the Summer 2026 Conference details.

Superintendent's Remarks - 2:45 p.m. - 2:55 p.m.
No remarks.
New Business
No New Business.
Remarks - Board President - Shawnda Stovall
Announcements
Executive Session
No executive session.

10.3.2025 Signed Affidavit Board Retreat

Recess/Adjournment - 3:00 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 3:04 p.m.

Mary Jane Abbott left the meeting at 12:07 p.m.
Ed Lowery left the meeting at 12:40 p.m.
Charlie Hannah left the meeting at 1:27 p.m.
Venus Cain left the meeting at 2:24 p.m.
Motion made by: Mrs. Shontae Boyd
Motion seconded by: Mr. Walter Eubanks
Voting
Mrs. Shawnda Stovall - Yes
Ms. Venus Cain - No Vote
Mr. Charlie Hannah - No Vote
Mr. Walter Eubanks - Yes
Mrs. Mary Jane Abbott - No Vote
Mrs. Shontae Boyd - Yes
Ms. Monique Braswell - Yes
Mr. Edward Lowery - Yes
Ms. Samantha Valentine - No Vote
Mr. Charlie Walker - Yes

Board Retreat - 10/3/2025 - Board Retreat

10/1/2025

Mrs. Shawnda Stovall - President
Dr. Malinda Cobb - Superintendent

Attendees - voting members

Mrs. Shawnda Stovall		President
Ms. Venus Cain		Board Member
Mr. Charlie Hannah		Board Member
Mr. Walter Eubanks		Board Member
Mrs. Mary Jane Abbott		Board Member
Mrs. Shontae Boyd		Board Member
Ms. Monique Braswell		Board Member
Mr. Edward Lowery		Vice President
Ms. Samantha Valentine		Board Member
Mr. Charlie Walker		Board Member

Call to Order - 9:00 a.m.
The October 3, 2025 Board Retreat of the Richmond County Board of Education was held on Friday, October 3, 2025, at the Broad Street Central Office in the GLRS.
A Moment of Self-Reflection
Mr. Ed Lowery, Board Vice-President, called the October 3, 2025, Board Retreat to order at 9:00 a.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
The Board stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
Dr. Malinda Cobb, Superintendent of Schools, conducted a Roll Call. Board members present were Mrs. Shawnda Stovall, Mr. Edward Lowery, Mrs. Mary Jane Abbott, Mrs. Shontae Boyd, Ms. Monique Braswell, Ms. Venus Cain(joined by phone), Mr. Walter Eubanks (on phone call), Mr. Charlie Hannah(9:13 a.m.), Ms. Samantha Valentine(9:13 a.m.), and Mr. Charlie Walker. All board members were present. A quorum was established. Mr. William Fletcher, Board Attorney, was present.
Guests
Lieutenant Kyle Gould spoke to the board regarding Gang Violence in Augusta.

*Lieutenant Kyle Gould - Information Only - Gang Violence - Invited by Mrs. Shontae Boyd - 9:05 a.m. - 9:35 a.m.

Board Retreat Presentation
Dr. Malinda Cobb opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.
*Human Resources - 9:35 - 9:50 a.m.

*Information Only - Compensation Time - Mr. Bobby A. Smith - Mrs. Kim Fletcher - 10:05 - 10:35 a.m.
*House Bill 581 - Mr. Bobby Smith - 10:35 a.m. - 11:05 a.m.
Approval of the Adoption of the Request to Hold Public Hearing for House Bill 581 - Mr. Bobby A. Smith.
*Information Only - RCSS Hiring Process - Dr. Melissa Shepard
Dr. Melissa Shepard gave a presentation on the hiring process with the Richmond County School System.

Instruction - 9:50 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.

*Information Only - GMAS Results and Richmond County School System Instructional Framework Overview - Mrs. Kinesha Ponder
*Information Only - PLC @ Home Probationary Placement - Mrs. Aletha Snowberger
Mrs. Aletha Snowberger gave a presentation regarding PLC and the home probationary placement.
*Information Only - 2025 Milestone Scores Update - Mrs. Glenda Collingsworth
Mrs. Glenda Collingsworth gave a presentation on 2025 Georgia Milestone Scores.

Student Services - 10:20 a.m. - 10:50 p.m.

*Information Only - Student Records Discussion - Mr. Marcus Allen - Mrs. Kimberly Fletcher
Mrs. Kim Fletcher and Mr. Marcus Allen gave a presentation on student records.
*Information Only - Discussion of Unaccompanied Minors at Games: Setting the Right Age - Mr. Marcus Allen
Mr. Marcus Allen spoke the board regarding considerations being given regarding unaccompanied minors at games in Richmond County.

Break - 10:50 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
*Legal - Mr. Larry Fletcher - 11:00 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
Mr. Larry Fletcher presented legal updates to the board.
Board Discussion Items - 11:20 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

*Discussion of Naming the New Middle School and Survey Results - Mrs. Aletha Snowberger
Mrs. Aletha Snowberger presented the board with the survey results for the naming of the New Middle School located on Walton Way.
*Preview of Live Online Board Room Voting - Mrs. Charlar Weigle
*Information Only - GSBA Safety Training Redelivery - Ms. Monique Braswell - Ms. Samantha Valentine
Ms. Samantha Valentine and Ms. Monique Braswell gave a overview of the GSBA Safety Training redeliver from the conference they attended.
*Discussion of Commissioners attending Graduations - Requested by Venus Cain at the April Regular Board meeting
Ms. Cain spoken briefly regarding Commissioners attending graduation.
*Discussion of Pay As You Go Board Member Attendance - Requested by Board Members September 4 - Mrs. Shawnda Stovall
Discussion of the Pay As You Go Board member attendance.
Discussion of Requesting Departmental Information - Requested by Ms. Cain - 9.22.2025
Discussion of requesting departmental information, and the amount of time it takes to gather the information.

Working Lunch - 12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Board Action Items - Mrs. Shawnda Stovall - If Needed
There were no Board Action Items.

*Approval of the Revised Organizational Chart - Dr. Malinda Cobb

Calendar of Meetings and Annual Conference Review - Mrs. Charlar Weigle - 12:45 p.m. - 1:05 p.m. These items were moved to the Work Session and 10.3.2025 Regular Board Meeting

*Approval of the 2026 Spring Retreat Date: - Mrs. Charlar Weigle
*Discussion on GSBA 2025 Annual Conference Atlanta, Georgia - Mrs. Charlar Weigle

Superintendent's Remarks - 1:05 p.m. - 1:20 p.m.
Dr. Malinda gave brief remarks.
New Business
There was no new business.
Remarks - Board President - Mrs. Shawnda Stovall
Mrs. Shawnda Stovall gave brief closing remarks.
Announcements
No annoucements.
Executive Session
Mrs. Stovall called for a motion to go into the Executive Session at 3:32 p.m.
Motion made by: Mr. Charlie Walker
Motion seconded by: Mrs. Mary Jane Abbott
Voting:
Unanimously Approved

The board returned at 3:42 p.m.

Affidavit:
Mr. Charlie Hannah made a motion that Mr. Ed Lowery, Board President, be directed to execute an affidavit, in accordance with state law, affirming that no subject was discussed during the executive session that violates the Open Meetings Act of the State of Georgia.

Motion made by: Mr. Ed Lowery
Motion seconded by: Mrs. Mary Jane Abbott
Voting:
Approved Unanimously

10.3.2025 Signed Affidavit Board Retreat

Recess/Adjournment - 2:00 p.m.